City News Blog

The latest happenings in your city government.

The Lakeland Police Department will conduct an active shooter awareness seminar for Lakeland businesses, schools and organizations on August 26 at 10 a.m.

Learn how you can best prepare, prevent and react to an active shooter scenario. This seminar is FREE, but pre-registration is required. Seminar participants must have a primary location within Lakeland city limits.

There is no charge to attend, but participants must register using the "register" link below. Photo ID and employment credentials (business card, employee badge) will be required at check-in, beginning at 9 a.m.

On Tuesday, June 24th City Manager Doug Thomas filed official documents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement stating that former Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack left voluntarily in good standing.

LAKELAND, FL (June 18, 2014) - On Saturday, June 21st from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. the City of Lakeland will join volunteers from a variety of organizations and churches to hold a community outreach event at 7th Street Park (1500 W. 7th Street, Lakeland FL 33805).

Commissioner Phillip Walker, “This is an area that has recently experienced a number of gang involved shootings and the events is part of our Refuse to Lose anti-gang initiative as we work together to address this problem and keep our fingers on the pulse of this whole issue. We will work with our faith based partners, the Polk County School Board, area law enforcement agencies and concerned citizens as we continue to move forward.” He added, “We must all work together and let those know that we will not tolerate this behavior and we will use our resources to seek the maximum penalty allowed for those involved in gang activity."

The outreach event will include neighborhood cleanup with volunteers stopping by every residence in the area with gift bags of food inviting them to the focal event at 7th Street Park. Activities in the park will include:

· Bounce Houses

· Sports Camp hosted by Simpson Park

· Kids Club hosted by Dream Center

· Face Painting hosted by Southeastern University

· Grilled Hotdogs hosted by Lakeland Fire Department

Pastor Mike Cooper from the Dream Center said, “We spend a great deal of time in these neighborhoods and this outreach event is just one way that we as a community can show support for residents and let them know that we care. We will be assisting those in the neighborhood by cutting their grass, doing clean-up activities and we have a fun day planned at the park.

Sergeant Jeff Gary and Officer Doug Mills responded to N Lake Wire Park in reference to a wanted person. When the officers approached the suspect, he shot at them. The officers returned fire, Officer Mills was shot and has been transported to LRMC. The suspect was shot and EMS personnel are working on him at this time.